Gov. Daniel J. McKee is reinstituting a partial indoor mask mandate that makes them mandatory in large venues but optional for small businesses, which can instead require proof of vaccination for staff and patrons.
For businesses with a capacity of less than 250, proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or indoor masking will be required for at least 30 days starting on Dec. 20.
Businesses and other indoor venues with a capacity of 250 people or more must require indoor masking among guests and employees during the same time period.
Small-business owners have complained the temporary mandate puts too much enforcement burden on them.